lyono wrote: I really don't think he is the world class stand off most of you think. Watch him this year and keep a tally of how many tackles he ghosts through, how many one on one tackles he completes and how many times he slows down our attack as we swing it out wide. Gaskell's kicking game is his best asset which IMO isn't worth his place in a side looking to go all the way as it is inconsistent at best. I hope he proves me wrong though i'm sick of losing finals.



Lyono I don't no what ur problem with Gaskell is ?? He has got good kicking game he can run the lines good passing he looks so laid back

I think Gaskell brings something to your side which Lomax doesnt, and I dont think Lance will either. He does seem to have a great kicking game which is vital for any side.

Most of you have picked up on his decision making in the GF last season, but for an inexperienced kid he didnt do so bad and his partnership with Lomax was a massive factor in getting there. I do think decision making/greed when having the ball does let him down at times when Ive watched him but every younger player goes for glory more often than not.

It is a shame, but I can see Wellens at 1, Lomax and Lance at 6 and 7 and Gaskell missing out more often than not. With out kicking game being as bad as its been for a while according to some, we will lend him for a season to play alongside Finch



Only time will tell though with what and who Royce wants to play with what system.

To be fair Gaskell and Lomax were not the reason we did not win the GF. Even if Gaskell had got that right, it would not have stopped Shentons elbow dislocating, leading to the Meli Sia partnership that just gave Leeds the green light to attack attack attack.

Spot on.

I think the inexperience of both Gaskell and Lomax did cost us in the GF last year, but that's what you get with having two inexperienced half backs and as long as they learn from it then there's no problem. It's probably also the reason that Hohaia was brought in, to give us some experience. It's just getting the balance right between the three, and at the moment Lomax and Hohaia are too similar to play together for me.

Having said that, I don't go against the argument that Shenton getting injured was a major part of that defeat.

Agree entirely, and we still havn,t really got a team leader in the calibre of Joynt, Sculthorpe or Cunningham, this is one of our major concerns. We might have the talent in the team but some games we will be playing like headless chickens.

I'm shocked how one persons posts on this thread (Lyono) can turn our support so sour. I don't think we can or should blame losing the GF on Lomax and Gaskell, I think that's absolutely ridiculous and deluded. If memory serves, Rugby Leaguer/League Express gave Gaskell Saints MOM for his part in the GF.
If anyone can dispute that Gaskell's appearance, and the subsequent turn around of the game against Widnes had nothing to do with him, then IMO they have something personal against him.
Come on Saints, most fans are behind you and can't wait to see our young talent come into their own. Hotel booked for next weekend and I cannot wait for kickoff to the season.

Its the old talent im worried about, We'll persist with Wello at full back when its doubtful if he's even our 3rd best option there. We'll put Lance and Lomax in the halves when Lomax and Gaskell ripped into every team last year.
Either have Lomax at 1, Lance and gaskell at 6/7
or Makinson 1, Lomax and Gaskell 6/7 and Lance as impact hooker with Robes switching to effectively a creative loose forward.

I'm holding back a little for now, see what next weeks game brings about.....

A ridiculous exaggeration - Gaskell looked like a rabbit in headlights (as was only to be expected to be fair) for most of the season while Lomax only sporadically looked good at #7, particularly against the top teams where he usually frankly looked out of his depth. Both are young players with a lot of potential and quite likely to form a good HB partnership as the months/years go on, but they are far from the nailed on certainties at #6 and #7 that some seem to think that they already are.

You're right, that [iis[/i a ridiculous exaggeration. Whilst they may have had moments when their youth was exposed, they, especially Lomax, were a joy to watch last year.